Nan's Notes

A couple of weeks ago, I attended the CMSD board meeting at which the hold on closing Collinwood High School was to be announced. What did I learn?

That East Tech has a terrific (and deafening) drum line (I love drum lines).

That Councilman Polensek envisions a new career-oriented curriculum at CHS as a model for the city, and does not see one year as an adequate allowance. (Some members of the board have already pressed for three.)

That Jamar Doyle (Greater Collinwood Community Development Corp.) believes that with 2000 jobs going unfilled every year for want of trained workers, CHS is well placed to rebuild the CHS curriculum. (When Jamar called for Collinwood attendees to stand, most of the auditorium rose to its feet – including a long line of students with posters.)

That the Save CHS Committee has received calls from Peter Lawson Jones (former County Commissioner, now an actor and playwright), Felton Thomas, director of the Cleveland Public Library, Dan Moore and Jack Schron, neighborhood industrialists.

That Robert Gatewood of GamerHaven on E185 is ready to set up a business incubator on the third floor.

That Judge Suzan Sweeney sees a restored CHS as a crucial component in her campaign to save the teenagers who so often appear before her.

That former City Councilman Zack Reed (now statewide minority affairs coordinator) wants to end mayoral control of the school system.

That all we have to do now is work ferociously for the next year, taking advantage of our advantages.

Start the holidays with a great big party - the Art of the Ornament show’s opening at Waterloo Arts – December 6. There will be a staggering assortment of free food from local vendors, as well as a cash donation bar serving beer and wine. There will be a (literally) fantastic selection of ornaments, all being auctioned off to benefit WA’s community programs. I imagine there will be live music. Oh – and there will be decorated trees.

Combined with the street’s WinterFest, this is the most dramatic start for the holiday season Waterloo has ever seen. Don’t miss it.

Calling all makers! ⠀

Meanwhile, Waterloo Arts wants more ornaments – more and more ornaments, there can’t be too many. If you’re an artist, make an ornament and donate it to Waterloo Arts, then join the party and watch it being snapped up. Don’t feel compelled to produce something traditional – this is Waterloo. Interpret the “ornament” how you see it. Diversity is key and half the fun is seeing how an ornament is realized by vastly different creative minds. Deadline for donations is December 1st. Click the link for more info: tinyurl.com/ArtoftheOrnament

Playwrights Local Present Live Bodies for Sale

Live Bodies is one of the five must-see plays of the season, according to Andrea Simakis, the PD’s drama critic. Along with Kinky Boots. Written by Christopher Johnston, directed by Terrence Spivey. And it’s not your typical feel-good holiday fare; it is in danger, in fact, of making you think and stirring you to empathy.

“Live Bodies” explores the lives of Cleveland women who are survivors of human trafficking in a new documentary play in the mold of the theater’s powerful “Objectively Reasonable,” an examination of the Tamir Rice shooting and its aftermath in 2016.

Playwright Christopher Johnston conducted in-depth interviews with five women forced into prostitution as well as those working to help free sexually exploited women, including Renee Jones (an urban Mother Teresa figure who runs her namesake empowerment center in Cleveland), law enforcement agents, prosecutors and judges. Nov. 22 to Dec. 15 at Creative Space at Waterloo Arts, 397 East 165th St.; 216-302-8856 or playwrightslocal.org.

In the Gold Building: New Gallery! Photocentric

The Gold Building has not only escaped the wrecker’s ball, it has become the home of Photocentric, 1000 sq. ft. of newly renovated, well-lit gallery space featuring works of exceptional regional and national contemporary photographers. Photocentric will also offer processing and scanning, film camera rentals, and professional b&w and digital printing. Regular business hours will be Wednesday through Saturday from 11am to 6pm.

Come visit the grand opening exhibition, Hopeful, featuring the works of Robert Aufuldish, Bruce Checefsky, Lori Kella, Michael Loderstedt, Nancy McEntee and Arnie Tunstall on December 6 during Walk All Over Waterloo.

Photocentric is always interested in discovering new artists working in photographic media. Contact Michael for a Tuesday portfolio review appointment, or to learn more about the gallery at (216) 219-7568. Photocentric Gallery, 15515 Waterloo Road.

And that’s not all, folks. A suite of newly renovated artist’s studios and offices on the second floor will be opening soon. And the Tyvek will eventually disappear. Trust me. All you folks who came to the community meeting and wrote letters to the Land Bank and the councilman, come and enjoy.

At Praxis: “Wild and Bloomin’”

Work by Deb Berkebile, Joyce Jentoft and Sandy Shelenberger. Show runs through January 22.

"We are friends connected by a desire to share our creativity. Our inspiration for this joint exhibit was the quote ‘to bloom where you are planted.’ We have used a variety of surface design techniques including batik, dye painting, experimental screen-printing processes and Shibori to give voice to our personal and collaborative expressions on fabric. We want this colorful exhibit to bloom and have vitality. Our goal is to inspire those who see our work to not only look more closely at our unique individual marks, but to discover the beauty and strength when our visions are interwoven."

At Article: Holiday Art and Craft Show

Friday December 6 Opening, 6 pm

The Artists of Article present "Harmony in Six Voices." Original art, ceramics, hand- crafted ornaments, prints and lots more unique items eminently suitable for gifting.

Matt Shiffler Photography

“Quite honored and proud,” says Matt, “ to announce that I'll be exhibiting around 30 of my works in the Trudy Wiesenberger Gallery (once occupied by an Andy Warhol show) at University Hospitals from November 26 through February 2020.”

Opening catered reception on November 26 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm. The exhibited photographs showcase a mix of Matt’s travels in America and the time he spent in Southeast Asia. Between photographing the culture and landscapes of Asia, his favorite part was photographing the compassion and kindness of the people along the way.

While Matt’s works are on display elsewhere, Phil Sisto will be showing his outstanding astrophotography and wildlife images at the gallery - and during WAOW, they will jointly host a Seasonal Beer Tasting. Phil will also be raffling one of his stunning pieces off the wall with a $5 buy-in for a ticket. Please bring at least 2-3 craft beers to the gallery to share and sample everything - a good Pumpkin or Christmas ale would not come amiss; numerous growlers will be ready to go. The whole affair will be laid back and unstructured; get your DD or Uber app ready.

At the Millard Fillmore

More Guitars Than Saturn Has Moons! December 6

Yoid at the Fillmore Friday, December 6, 8 – 11:30 PM. YOID-action IV will bring our heroes and their utterly preposterous mashup of Glenn Branca and Kraut/psych to the Millard Fillmore Presidential Library on Waterloo Rd on Friday, December 6th. 15617 Waterloo Rd,

Cleveland Rocks and the Music Saves Storefront

If you don't know what Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present and Future is, I can pass on Cindy Barber’s brief description: They support and preserve popular music culture, and stimulate music-centered initiatives. This year they are looking to raise $2000 dollars to help open a Cleveland Rocks PPF shop in the Music Saves building, to support local musicians and train college students and the unemployed in a music retail business environment.

Plans for the Music Saves Space

A PPF shop focused on Northeast Ohio musicians and history. CDs...vinyl..product...also maybe books of local music history.. and historic memorabilia that might be on consignment for sale... We may develop the other storefronts for photos and equipment in the future...

Some December Concerts at the Beachland

Canterbury Arts Club EP Release with The Morning Bird and Neilston – December 12

Whiskey Daredevils – December 12

Roots of American Music Presents Bluegrass Jam (Free Event) December 16

STAR POP vintage + modern has been recycling pop culture and saving the planet since 2009 - buying and selling new and old toys, for kids and collectors, along with classic video games, vintage clothing, records, and other pop culture collectibles.

The event starts off Saturday, December 14th, from 5 PM till 9 PM with a party and sale. The sale continues on Sunday, December 15th, with extended hours from noon till 6 PM. Here’s some of what you can look forward to:

• 15% off all purchases! (both days)

• Free cake and snacks! (Saturday)

• Enter to win a $100 gift certificate! (both days)

• $3 in STAR POP bucks for kids ages 4-12 to use during the event! (both days)

• The first fifteen people to spend $5 or above, will receive an envelope with a free gift certificate valued at $5, $10, or $20! Gift certificates will be valid after the sale. (Saturday)

Troy: “We can’t thank all of you enough for ten years of support and friendship! If you haven’t been in before, we encourage you to come in and experience STAR POP vintage + modern for yourself. If you haven’t been in recently, come see everything that’s new. “

Follow STAR POP on Facebook to stay up to date on future discounts, events, and changes to store days and hours.

At Pop Life

Pop Life is now well and truly open, with seven days a week of programs designed to encourage wellness and inner peace. Turn off NPR and go to Pop Life.

Ritual Juicery is an essential part of the Pop Life world, serving organic, unadulterated and nutritious juices accompanied by fresh and natural smoothie bowls and a daily rotating healthy food selection. An energy boost to fuel the exercise you’ll be putting your mind and body through.

Phone Gallery

Cleveland’s smallest gallery, in a decommissioned phone booth mounted on the Wall of Russ’ Auto Care on Waterloo, is now accepting applications for art exhibitions in summer 2020 and beyond. Apply on Facebook.

At Framed Gallery: Rochelle Johnson

Stacey Bartells has added still another artist to her wonderfully varied portfolio: Rochelle Johnson of Denver.

Rochelle took a winding road to her current painting practice - which focuses on imagery that represents the everyday life of people—from the urban areas to the suburbs. She finds it more interesting than still life, landscapes and non-representational work. “ Every painting needs to have a figure in it,” she says, although she adds that some of her paintings are inadvertently taking on an abstract form, even with the figure.

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Lady Bug and Kumbaya

Start your holiday shopping now, at Ladybug, the elegant little shop next to Kumbaya by the Shore, at 15224 Lakeshore. Mittie has a remarkable collection of treasures. Rest from your effort with a cup of coffee at Kumbaya, the coffee shop with a social justice mission and good food – home-made soup, cornbread, cupcakes – the menu grows along with Mittie’s funding.

Kumbaya is also the site for Saturday afternoon neighborhood conversations, 4-6 pm; December 7 will feature a movie screening (Mittie does lots of movie screenings) of The Preacher’s Wife, and conversation with Charlene Higginbotham Adams, long-time Cleveland volunteer extraordinaire.

On Friday December 20, Mittie will be hosting Sherrie Tolliver, actress and interpreter of cultural history, and a member of Cleveland’s Women in History. 7-11 pm.

Kumbaya and Lady Bug have regular hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, noon to 7 pm. Longer hours are planned. To find out more, contact Mittie at Ladybug@KumbayaShore.com.

Santa Comes to Collinwood! December 7 at Five Pointe

It’s that time of the year again. Snow has started to fall, and Santa and his helpers are in full force spreading holiday cheer. Breakfast and photos with Santa will be on Saturday, December 7, 9:30am-12pm . Sponsored by Greater Collinwood Development Corporation, Councilman Polensek and Councilman Hairston, and Cleveland Job Corps. The food has been donated by Gus’s Diner 185 and volunteers will be from local area schools. To register, please visit: santacomestocollinwood2019.eventbrite.com

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Safety Update

GCDC’s safety liaison, Greg Pollard, speaking at the last meeting of Collinwood Collective, encouraged Collinwood residents to always call 911 for an emergency. If you need help advocating for a non-emergency issue, or want to make sure issues are getting to the GCDC, see below for Greg’s contact information as well as the comment box from their webpage.

Now through December 20th, make a cash donation OR bring in non-perishable food items (e.g. peanut butter, tuna, canned soups/stews, canned veggies, cereal, etc.). 100% of donations will go directly to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank on South Waterloo. Nobody should go hungry, ever. Let's help those in need by being as generous as we can this holiday season.

Christmas Light Tour

Thursday, December 5th limo buses will be leaving CSH at 5:45pm for a 3-hour light tour, with stops at the Christmas Story House, Public Square, Playhouse Square and drive by Nela Park. Tickets are $20 each and it is B.Y.O.B.

Poor Man's 50/50 Raffle

Friday, December 13th. Tickets are $12 each and include (2) sandwiches & chips. Doors open at 6pm.